Migraine
A migraine is a type of headache
that may occur with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light.
In many people, a throbbing pain is felt only on one side of the head.
Some people who get migraines have
warning symptoms, called an aura, before the actual headache begins. An aura is
a group of symptoms, including changes in vision. This is a warning sign that a
bad headache is coming.
Symptoms
Vision disturbances, or aura, are
considered a "warning sign" that a migraine is coming. The aura
occurs in both eyes and may involve any or all of the following:
- A temporary blind spot
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain
- Seeing stars or zigzag lines
- Tunnel vision
Other warning signs include yawning,
difficulty concentrating, nausea, and trouble finding the right words.
Not every person with migraines has
an aura. Those who do usually develop one about 10 - 15 minutes before the
headache. However, an aura may occur just a few minutes to 24 hours
beforehand. A headache may not always follow an aura.
Migraine headaches can be dull or
severe. The pain may be felt behind the eye or in the back of the head and
neck. For many patients, the headaches start on the same side each time. The
headaches usually:
- Feel throbbing, pounding, or pulsating
- Are worse on one side of the head
- Start as a dull ache and get worse within minutes to hours
- Last 6 to 48 hours
Other symptoms that may occur with
the headache include:
- Chills
- Increased urination
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Problems concentrating, trouble finding words
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Sweating
Symptoms may linger even after the
migraine has gone away. Patients with migraine sometimes call this a migraine
"hangover." Symptoms can include:
- Feeling mentally dull, like your thinking is not clear or sharp
- Increased need for sleep
- Neck pain
Alcohol, stress and anxiety, certain
odors or perfumes, loud noises or bright lights, and smoking may trigger a
migraine. Migraine attacks may also be triggered by:
- Caffeine withdrawal
- Changes in hormone levels during a woman's menstrual cycle or with the use of birth control pills
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Exercise or other physical stress
- Missed meals
- Smoking or exposure to smoke
Migraine headaches can be triggered
by certain foods. The most common are:
- Any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods, as well as foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Baked goods, chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, and dairy products
- Foods containing tyramine, which includes red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and certain beans
- Fruits (avocado, banana, citrus fruit)
- Meats containing nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured meats)
- Onions
This list may not include all
triggers
Only an experienced health care
provider can determine whether your symptoms are due to a migraine or another
condition.
Fitworks Corrective Therapy has helped many clients with
migraine and headaches. By lining up the
spine the headaches and migraines have gone away in many clients.
Gary
Rumel, Corrective Therapist
